Flashing for roof penetrations

ABSTRACT

A flashing for sealing about a roof penetration includes a first sheet having a first edge. The first sheet includes a substantially planar portion and a portion that is inclined with respect to the planar portion. The inclined portion has a recess open at the first edge. A second sheet has a first edge. The second sheet includes a substantially planar portion and a portion that is inclined with respect to the planar portion. The inclined portion has a recess open at the first edge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention is directed to a flashing for roofpenetrations. More specifically, the present invention is directed to aflashing that includes two complimentary mating halves that can beeasily placed about an existing roof penetration without requiringremoval or disconnection of the penetration, whether it be, for example,a power line or a vent pipes.

[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0004] Flashing has been used for decades to weatherproof roofpenetrations. The roof penetration may be, for example, a power line ora vent pipe. Conventional flashings for pipes and other roofpenetrations are typically made from thin sheet metal that is cut andformed into the desired shape by construction workers at the buildingsite. The flashing is usually formed from one piece of sheet materialthat has a central opening cut therein to fit about the roofpenetration. Thereafter, a sealing material, such as caulk, is placedabout the juncture of the roof penetration and the central opening inthe sheet material. In many instances, it is desirable to not remove ordisconnect the roof penetration, simply because this leads to increasedwork and sometimes mistakes when replacing or reconnecting the roofpenetration, when placing flashing thereabouts. However, when theflashing is made from one piece of sheet material it is often quitedifficult, and sometimes impossible, to place the single sheet about theroof penetration. For example, if the rood penetration is a power line,the power company must first be called to disconnect the power linebefore the flashing can be installed. The power company must then becalled after installation to reconnect the power line. This is a greatinconvenience and expense to the homeowner.

[0005] In addition, conventional flashings are made from essentiallyplanar sheet material throughout so that the portion of the sheetmaterial about the central opening lies in approximately the same planeas the remaining portion of the sheet material. Such a constructionleads to increased likelihood of leakage at the central opening. Anexample of such a conventional flashing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,570,396 to Struben which discloses a roof structure of mobile homes.Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11 of the '396 patent, a flashingarrangement is shown that consists of two essentially planar plates 100,102. Each plate has a notch to fit around a roof penetration. The platesare placed about the roof penetration and then are affixed in place byfastening means 108, which are affixed to the roof panel 12. A caulkingmaterial is then placed about the juncture of the notches in plates 100,102 and the roof penetration.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a flashing system forroof penetrations that would not require the removal or disconnection ofthe penetration prior to installation of the flashing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A flashing for sealing about a roof penetration is disclosed. Theflashing comprises a first sheet having at least a first edge. The firstsheet includes a substantially planar portion and a portion that isinclined with respect to the planar portion, with the inclined portionhaving a recess open at the first edge. The flashing also includes asecond sheet having at least a first edge, with the second sheetcomprising a substantially planar portion and a portion that is inclinedwith respect to the planar portion, with the inclined portion having arecess open at the first edge. The first sheet and second sheet will beconntected together in the most preferred embodiment, with the roofpenetration being disposed there through. A U-shaped hem for preventingwater from passing over a top side of the respective sheets may also beincluded.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a flashingthat can be placed about a roof penetration without requiring removal ordisconnection of the roof penetration.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide aflashing that reduces the likelihood of leakage at the juncture of theroof penetration and an opening in the flashing material.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide aflashing that is of relatively simple structure and that may be massproduced at an off-site manufacturing location, economically delivered,and easily and quickly installed by construction personnel toweatherproof openings around roof penetrations of a building.

[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to simplify theinstallation process by providing a flashing that is made of two piecesof complimentary mating half portions, where each portion is essentiallyidentical so that only one type of flashing sheet material is requiredto be manufactured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0012] The above, as well as other objects of the present invention,will become apparent, and the invention will be better understood, froma detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, when takentogether with accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled flashingfor roof penetrations in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top view of one sheet in accordance with the presentinvention;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the sheet of FIG. 2;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a right side view of the sheet of FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a top view of a second sheet in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the sheet of FIG. 5; and

[0019]FIG. 7 is a right side view of the sheet of FIG. 5.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a top view of the assembled flashing from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a flashing 10 for roof penetrationsis illustrated. Flashing 10 includes a first sheet 12 and a second sheet14. Sheets 12, 14 are preferably made of high-strength sheet metal.First sheet 12 and said second sheet 14 are each preferably made of aone-piece unitary sheet material, such as, for example, stainless steel.In addition, sheets 12, 14 are complimentary mating half portions which,when assembled together form the flashing 10. It should be noted thatlike numbers appearing in the various figures represent like components.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, first sheet 12 has a first edge 13, asecond edge 16 and a third edge 18. First sheet 12 is comprised of asubstantially planar portion 20 and a portion 22 that is inclined withrespect to the planar portion 20. Inclined portion 22 has a recess 24open at first edge 13. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inclined portion22 is raised relative to the planar surface 20. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 depictpiece A.

[0023] Second sheet 14 is substantially identical to first sheet 12 (seeFIGS. 5-7). Accordingly, second sheet 14 has a first edge 24, a secondedge 26 and a third edge 28. Second sheet 14 is comprised of asubstantially planar portion 30 and a portion 32 that is inclined withrespect to the planar portion 30. Inclined portion 32 has a recess 34open at first edge 24. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, inclined portion 32 israised relative to the planar surface 30. FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 depict pieceB.

[0024] The inclined portion 22, 32 of each of the first sheet 12 and thesecond sheet 14, respectively, includes a planar rim 36, 38 about recess22, 32, respectively. Each of the inclined portions includes a peakedridge 40, 42 extending substantially from the respective planar portion20, 30 to the respective planar rim 36, 38. Each of the peaked ridgesextends approximately linearly. Each of the peaked ridges 40, 42 isdisposed approximately perpendicularly with respect to its respectivefirst edge 13, 24.

[0025] The planar rims 36, 38 are each substantially U-shaped. Theplanar rims each include a semicircular portion 44, 46 that is disposedin a first plane that is essentially parallel to a second plane that therespective planar portion 20, 30 is disposed in. The legs 37, 39 of eachU-shaped planar rim 36, 38 are each inclined downwardly, back toward therespective planar portion 20, 30.

[0026] The second edge 16, 26 and the third edge 18, 28 of the first andsecond sheets 12, 14 each have a hem 48 for preventing water passingover a top side of the respective sheet. The hem 48 is U-shaped in thepreferred embodiment in that the lip of the hem 48 wraps under to anopposite bottom side of the respective sheet. The hems 48 act as achannel and funnel to guide water down to the roof. As illustrated, eachof the second edge 16, 26 and said third edge 18, 28 of the first andsecond sheets 12, 14 are disposed approximately perpendicularly withrespect to the respective first edge 13, 24.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, a roof penetration 50 is illustratedprojecting through the roof 52 of a building. Plates 12, 14 are placedabout roof penetration 50. The legs 37, 39 of each U-shaped planar rim36, 38, overlap to ensure a snug fit of the assembled plates 12, 14about the roof penetration 50. The plates can then be connected to theroof 52 by any conventional manner known to those skilled in the art. Acaulking material is then preferably placed about the juncture of thenotches in plates 12, 14 and the roof penetration 50. Caulking materialis also preferably placed about the juncture of the overlapped plates12, 14 and the free edges of each plate and the roof, including theouter edges of each water hem 48. The inside edges of each water hem 48is, therefore, not obstructed to assist in guiding water down the roof.

[0028] Once assembled on a roof about a projection 50, peaked ridge 42helps divert water flowing down on top of second sheet 14 away from theroof projection 50. Inclined portion 32 is preferably a smoothly curvedsurface extending from the peak ridge 42 down to the planar portion 30to further assist in diverting water away from the roof projection 50.

[0029] As seen in FIG. 8, with the unique design of this presentinvention, water will be diverted about the inclined portion 32, andmore specifically, the water will be separated by the peaked ridge 42.Reference is also made to FIG. 1 wherein the water will travel down theroof in the direction as shown by arrow “A” with the least amount ofrestriction to flow due to the diamond shape of the assembled flashing.

[0030] The inclined portion 32, 22 and peaked ridges 42, 40 act as awedge to split the water flow. However, the splitting of the water flowis done with a minimal amount of resistence to flow and causes a minimalamount of disturbance of the total water flowing down the roof 52.

[0031] Additionally, the unique design allows for the water flowing downa roof to separate due to the inclined portion 32 and peaked ridge 42 aswell as allowing for the rejoining of the water stream on the bottomside AA of the assembled flashing, namely the inclined portion 22 andpeaked ridge 40. Thus, as seen in FIG. 8, water travels down roof 52,strikes the lateral corner 70 of the peaked ridge 42, separates aboutboth sides of the inclined portion 32, namely sides 72, 74. The waterflow is denoted by the arrows A1 about one side and A2 about the otherside.

[0032] The water will continue down along the bottom side AA of theassembled flashing, namely onto the sheet 20 and inclined portion 22. Byhaving the diamond shaped configuration shown in FIG. 8, the flashingacts to join the water stream along sides 76, 78. The sides 76, 78 meetat lateral corner 80 which in turn causes the water stream flowing downthe roof 52 to join, as shown by arrow “B”. Moreover, the hems 48 actsas a channel to guide water down the roof 52.

[0033] Changes and modifications can be made to the invention, as willbe readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, withoutdeparting from the spirt and scope of the claims, nor any equivalentstherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flashing for sealing about a roof penetration,said flashing comprising: a first sheet having at least a first edge,said first sheet comprising a substantially planar portion and a portionthat is inclined with respect to said planar portion, said inclinedportion having a recess open at said first edge; a second sheet havingat least a first edge, said second sheet comprising a substantiallyplanar portion and a portion that is inclined with respect to saidplanar portion, said inclined portion having a recess open at said firstedge.
 2. The flashing according to claim 1, wherein said inclinedportion of each of said first sheet and said second sheet includes aplanar rim about said recess.
 3. The flashing according to claim 2,wherein each of said inclined portions includes a peaked ridge extendingsubstantially from said respective planar portion to said planar rim. 4.The flashing according to claim 3, wherein each of said peaked ridgesextends approximately linearly.
 5. The flashing according to claim 4,wherein each of said peaked ridges is disposed approximatelyperpendicularly with respect to said respective first edge.
 6. Theflashing according to claim 2, wherein said planar rim is substantiallyU-shaped.
 7. The flashing according to claim 6, wherein said planar rimincludes a semicircular portion that is disposed in a first plane thatis essentially parallel to a second plane that said respective planarportion is disposed in.
 8. The flashing according to claim 1, whereinsaid first sheet and said second sheet are complimentary mating halfportions.
 9. The flashing according to claim 8, wherein said first sheetand said second sheet are each made of a one-piece unitary sheetmaterial.
 10. The flashing according to claim 9, wherein said firstsheet and said second sheet are each made from generally rigidhigh-strength sheet material.
 11. The flashing according to claim 1,wherein each of said first sheet and said second sheet includes a secondedge and a third edge, each of said second edge and said third edge ofsaid first and second sheet having a U-shaped hem for preventing waterpassing over a top side of said respective sheet from wrapping under toan opposite bottom side of said respective sheet.
 12. The flashingaccording to claim 11, wherein each of said second edge and said thirdedge of said first and second sheet are disposed approximatelyperpendicularly with respect to said respective first edge.
 13. A methodof diverting water flowing down a roof about a roof penetration with aflashing assembly, the flashing assembly comprising a first sheet havinga substantially planar portion and a first portion that is inclined withrespect to said planar portion; a second sheet having a substantiallyplanar portion and a portion that is inclined with respect to saidplanar portion, and wherein the first sheet and the second sheet areconnected so that the roof penetration is disposed there through, andwherein the method comprises: contacting the water with a first lateralcorner formed on said first inclined portion; diverting the water abouta first side and a second side of said first inclined portion;channeling the water about a third side and a fourth side of said secondinclined portion; joining the water at a second lateral corner formed onsaid second inclined portion.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein thefirst sheet and said second sheet includes a includes a U-shaped hem,and wherein the step of joining the water at the second lateral cornerincludes: preventing the water from passing over the U-shaped hem ofsaid respective first sheet and said second sheet; funneling the waterdown said second sheet.